Dear all,
Please bring the following post to the attention of any potential 
candidates. The application form and further details should be posted on 
the QMUL website later today. Note that applications and enquiries 
should be sent to Prof. Andy Baird ([log in to unmask]).
Thanks,
Lisa

*************
Department of Geography, Queen Mary University of London
Postgraduate Research Assistant - The effects of fire on peatland carbon 
stocks and dynamics

Grade 4 Research       Salary: £27,003  - £28,490 per annum
Appointment period: 12 months (available from 28th August 2007)

This full-time, fixed-term post is funded through a Natural Environment 
Research Council grant awarded to Dr Lisa Belyea (PI), with Prof. Andy 
Baird (QMUL, CoI), Dr Laura Shotbolt (QMUL, Research Officer) and Dr 
Rebekka Artz (Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Project Partner). 
The project investigates fire effects on peatland carbon stocks and 
dynamics, using a recent fire on blanket bog at the Silver Flowe 
National Nature Reserve (SW Scotland) as a case study. The principal 
objectives are to assess the immediate impact of fire on carbon stocks 
(i.e., direct combustion losses and thermal alteration of near-surface 
organic matter), to set up permanent plots for long-term monitoring of 
post-fire changes in peat physical characteristics, water chemistry, and 
plant and microbial composition, and to gather monitoring data at three 
times over the first year post-fire. This exciting, interdisciplinary 
project will provide key information on how pre-disturbance peatland 
structure mediates the impacts of fire on carbon stocks and dynamics. 
Hence, it will contribute to a wider debate on how spatial structure 
interacts with ecosystem resistance and resilience, and will provide 
basic knowledge to inform the representation of peatland fire in linked 
models of global climate and carbon cycling.

The post holder, based at QMUL with fieldwork in SW Scotland, will play 
a central role in the implementation of the research project. S/he will 
be involved in collecting and analysing cores of near-surface peat for 
quantification of combustion losses and thermal alteration of organic 
matter, as well as setting-up and monitoring permanent plots for 
measurement of hydrological variables, water chemistry, and plant and 
microbial composition. Training will be provided on all techniques, 
including microbial analyses.

Applicants will have a 1st or 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a 
relevant subject (e.g., biology, physical geography, environmental 
science). Candidates with field experience on peatland systems and/or 
skills in the relevant field and laboratory techniques are especially 
encouraged to apply. The post is available from 28th August 2007 for a 
period of one year. Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Lisa Belyea 
([log in to unmask]) or Prof. Andy Baird ([log in to unmask]).

Further details: http://www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/about/vacancies/index.html. 
Applicants should send a letter with a curriculum vitae and complete an 
application form available on the Human Resources website on 
http://www.hr.qmul.ac.uk/vacancies

To apply, send a completed application form (quoting reference no. 
07301/JO), a copy of your CV and a cover letter (outlining how you meet 
the person specification) to Prof. Andy Baird, Department of Geography, 
Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, or by 
e-mail: [log in to unmask] . Arrange for reference letters from three 
referees to be sent under separate cover.

The closing date for applications is 9th August 2007. Interviews will be 
held on 16th August 2007.